Yarn doubling and twisting machine



March 31, 1931. E. w. STONE 1,798,817

YARN DOUBLING AND TWISTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVENTUR Patented Mai-.31, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN W. STONE, F LONGMEADOW, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO BIGELOW-SAN- FORD CARPET CO. INC., 013 THOMPSONVILLE, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS YARN DOUBLING AND TWISTINQ- MACHINE Application filed February 25, 1930. Serial No. 431,185.

This invention relates to machines for manipulating fibrous material to form yarn, and is more particularly directed to yarn doubling and twisting machines wherein the ply yarn is produced by twisting together two or more yarns.

The doubling or twisting process may be performed on machines of various types depending mainly upon two distinct factors, (1) the condition or character of the yarn which is to be twisted, and (2) the method employed to insert the twist. .The machine most commonly used for doubling and twisting is that known as the ringtwister which is generally similar to a ring spinning frame,

and since such ring spinning machines are now well-known in the art it has not been deemed necessary herein to illustrate and describe the entire mechanism, since it may be of any of the usual types.

When two or more yarns are twisted together toform a ply yarn it frequently happens that one of the yarns may become broken and the machine continues to operate, in which case the ply yarn is defective until the broken end has been pieced up. Theliability of yarn breakage in a doubling or twisting machine is particularly manifested where the yarns to be twisted together are of low grade. This is usually due to the fact that in starting the twisting and winding operation the yarn itself takes the pull or load and is subjected to undue strain. I

The object of the present invention is more particularly to provide a yarn doubling and twisting machine which will act to gradually increase the twisting and winding operations from a condition of rest and thereafter efi'ect positive rotation of the twisting and winding operations. More specifically stated, the invention contemplates a main rotating driver, which may be of the whirl type and driven at a constant speed, a bobbin driving member movable into and out of engagement with the main rotating driver, friction means between the two driving members to gradually increase the rotative movement of the bobbin to thereby prevent yarn breakage, and positive driving means for thereafter rotating the bobbin positively.

The invention and novel features thereof Wlll best be made clear from the following description and the accompanying drawings of one good form thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig, 1 is a perspective View of a portion of a doubling or twisting machine containing the present invention;

Flg. 2 is a vertical section thereof;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View with parts broken away showing more particularly one form of means for positively rotating the bobbin after it has attained suflicient-speed to prevent yarn breakage;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig.

2, showing the positive driving means in inoperative position; 1

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 4, showing the positive driving means in operative position;

Fig. 6 is a View similar to that of Fig. 4 showin a modified form of the invention;

Fig. %is a side elevation with parts broken away, showing the relation of parts in the modified construction; and

Fig. 8 is a detail of a modified form of the invention.

It is usual in yarn doubling and twisting machines to provide a large number of doubling and twisting elements, but in the pressent instance of the invention only one of S111 elements 1s shown.

The machine has the usual s1de frames between which extends the spindle rail 1, and

tendsupwardly and has secured thereto, in

the present instance of the invention, the

spindle 8, as shown. v

The main dgiving member or whirl 6 is prospindle 8.

, gage suitable recesses in the base portion of the bobbin 14 when it is placed nponthe spindle, the effect being that the bobbin 1% will be driven from the bobbin driving memher when the bobbin driving member and the main driving member or whirl 6 are in operative engagement.

As hereinbefore stated, the bobbin drivingi member is mounted for movement into and out of operative relation with the main driving member or whirl 6 and any suitable means may be provided for eil'ecting such movement. In the present instance of the invention, however, the spindle rail has secured to it the arms 15, Fig. 1, from which extend outwardly the lifter supports 16 having pivotally mounted thereon at 17 the bobbin driving lifter 18. In the present instance of the invention, the pivotally mounted bobbin' driving lifter has a downwardly extended portion 19 which may be engaged by the hand or knee of the machine attendant, to lift the bobbin driver, and later permit it to move into operative engagement with the main driving member or whirl 6.

The arms 18 of the driving lifter embrace the main driver or whirl 6-and have pivotally mounted thereon at 20 a pad carrier 21, the efl'ectbeing that should the lower end 19 of the lifter be pressed inwardly, the pad carrier will engage beneath the flanges of the bobbin driving plate 12 and lift the'bobbin driving plate .from operative engagement with the main driving member or whirl 6.

It may be desirable at times to limit the movement of the bobbin drivinglifter, and

to this end the lifter is provided with a -projection 22 adapted to rest upon one of the arms 16 when the lifter is in itslowered position, as indicated in Fig. 1. Likewise, the lifting movement of the bobbin driving member is preferably limited by means of an adjustable stop 23 threaded into the arm 22 to abut against the arm 16 at the opposite side of the pivot 17, as indicated in Fig. 1, with the result that the bobbin driver lifter while operative to move the bobbin driver out of and into operative relation with the main rotating driver or whirl 6, has its movement.

' in these respects limitedf From the construction thus far described it will be apparent that when the bobbin driver has been moved upwardly out of operative engagement'with the' main driver orwhirl 6 and the bobbin lthas been placed upon and secured to the-bobbin driver for is due to the friction material or pad 10, will progressively increase without causing yarn breakage.

bobbin has reached a predetermined limit, it. is desirable in machines'of this general type that the bobbin driver and bobbin be driven positively during the progressive doubling, twisting and winding operations;

As one convenient meansfor effecting such positive rotative drive of the bobbin driver and bobbin, the former is provided with a radially movable locking means which, in the preferred form of the invention as herein disclosed, consists of a series of slides 24 mounted for radial movement relative to the bobbin driver undercentrifugal action. .Each of the slides 24 has a tooth portion 25 and is seated in a recess 26 of the bobbin driver 1l,'aud a retractable spring 27 secured to the inner end of each slide 24 at 28 normally acts to retract the slide from oper ative engagement with the teeth or projections 29 carried by the main driver or whirl 6.

In the present instance of the invention, four centrifugal slides 24 are provided, as indicated in Fig. 4, although it is apparent that any suitable number may be used.

The projections 29 which are carried by themain driver orwhirl 6 are preferably formed on a flange '30, Fig. 3, extending upwardly from the main driver or whirl 6, and a. downwardly extending flange 31 formed on the bobbin driver preferably encloses the upwardly extending flange 30 of the main d river or whirl 6 and serves in addition to the spindle 8'to guide the bobbindriver in its movements towards and from operative position with the main driver or whirl 6.

From the construction described as. one

good form of the present invention it will be After the speed of the bobbin driver and be broken. and such rotatlve movement winch 2,000 revolutions per minute, the locking devices or slides 24 carried by the bobbin driver will be moved outwardly by centrifugal force against the pull of their springs 27 and the tooth of the slides will engage the projections 29 on the main driver or whirl 6 and positive rotation will thereafter be imparted to the bobbin driver and bobbin.

The bobbin driver may be variously contrived but as herein shown it is formed of two parts, comprising the plate 12, which may be secured to the lower projecting portion 11 of the bobbin driver by screws 32, the essentials being that when the bobbin driver is moved into operative relation with the main driver or whirl 6, it will be driven frictionally by the slip friction material 10 be-- tween the main driver or whirl 6 and the bobbin driver, until the bobbin driver and bobbin have attained a predetermined rotative speed, whereupon the locking devices 24 and 29 will be thrown into engagement, so

till

that thereafter the bobbin driver and bobbin will be positively rotated. The present construction is such that the lower face of the bobbin driver 11 rests upon the friction pad 10, and is held thereagainst by the combined weight of the bobbin driver 11 and bobbin 14 to impart a friction turning force to the bobbin driver, that varies with the weight of this driver and the bobbin resting thereupon.

lln the modification shown by Figs. 6, 7 and 3, the positive driving connections between the main driver or whirl 6 and the bobbin driver are shown as ratchet and pawl mechanisms which act substantially in the same way as the slides 24 to effect positive rotative movement of the bobbin driver and bobbin afterthe latter has attained the desired speed of rotation through the slip friction material.

In the modification, the main driver or whirl 6 is provided with ratchet teeth or projections 33 which, as shown, are located about the spindle 8, and the slip friction material 34 is formed as a ring seated upon the upper end portion of the main driver or whirl 6.

The bobbin driver in the modification comprises a ring member 35, the flange portion 36 of which is adapted to rest upon the friction material 34 when the bobbin driver is in operative engagement with the main driver to prevent undue longitudinal movement of the pawl relative to the bobbin driver, each pawl is provided with a downwardly extending shouldered portion 40 which is confined between the opposing shouldered portions 41 and 42 formed on the flange 36 of the bobbin driver.

Each of the pawls 37 is normally under the influence of a spring 43 which as shown is of the leaf type, having one end secured to a post 44 extending upwardly from the flange 36 and held with its free end in operative engagement with the non-toothed end of each pawl and with an adjusting screw 45 which may be held from accidental rotative movement by a leaf spring 46 bearing on the outer end of the adjusting screw.

In the modified form of the invention, the

bobbin driving lifter is not shown, but in this construction as in that described as the preferred form of the invention, such lifter may comprise the same general character'of lifter arms and operate in the same way, the effect being that the bobbin driver may be moved out of operative relation with the main driver or whirl 6,, and when moved into operative relation therewith the bobbin driver and bobbin will have imparted to them a slip friction drive which will gradually increase the rotative movement of the bobbin driver and bobbin until the centrifugal force is snflicient to cause the pawls 37 carried by the bobbin driver to engage the ratchet teeth 33 formed on the main driver or whirl 6, whereupon the bobbin driver and bobbin will be positively driven.

The present invention, as will be apparent from the construction described, provides means for frictionally rotating the bobbin driver and bobbin when the former is moved into operative relation with the main driver or whirl, so that in starting the doubling, twisting or winding operations, no undue strain is brought upon the yarn and breakage is prevented; and when the bobbin driver and bobbin have attained sufficient speed,

gradually increased, a positive rotation of the bobbin driver and bobbin will be effected.-

Obviously, the substantially fiat pad of friction material may be secured either to the whirl or the bobbin driver.

What isclaimed is:

1'. In a yarn doubling and twisting machine,'the combination of a spindle, a main rotating driving member and a bobbin driving member relatively movable into and out of operative engagement, slip friction means between the two members and adapted to be subjected to the weight; of the bobbin driving member to effect a gradually increasing speed of rotation of the bobbin driving member when said members are initially engaged to thereby prevent yarn breaka e, and means rendered automatically effectlve by the increased rotative speed of the bobbin drivin member for thereafter positively rotating the bobbin driving member.

2. In a yarn doubling and twisting machine, the combination of a spindle, a main rotating driving member, a bobbin driving member movable into and out of operative engagement wit-h the main driving member, friction means between the two members and adapted to be subjected to the weight of the bobbin driving memberzand its bobbin to effect a gradually increasing speed of rotation of the bobbin driving member when said members are initially engaged to thereby prevent yarn breakage, and means rendered automatically effective by the increased rotative speed of the bobbin driving member for thereafter positively rotating the bobbin driving member.

3. In a yarn doubling and twisting mamember movable into and out of operative engagement with the main driving member, friction means between'the two members and adapted to be subjected to the weight of the bobbin driving member and its bobbin to effect a gradually increasing speed of rotation of the bobbin driving member when said members are initially engaged to thereby prevent yarn breakage, and interlocking means carried by the two members rendered automatically effective by the increased speed of the bobbin driving member for thereafter positively rotating the bobbin driving member.

4. In a yarn doubling and twisting machine, the combination of a spindle fo receiving a bobbin, a main rotating dI' '-.$g whirl, a bobbin driving member movable into and out of operative engagement with the whirl, slip friction means between the whirl and bobbin driving member and adapted to be subjected to the weight of the bobbin driver and bobbin to cause the friction driving force to vary with said weight and effect a gradually increasing speed of the bobbin driving, member when initially engaged with the whirl to thereby prevent yarn breakage, and positive driving means between the whirl and bobbin driving member rendered automatically operative to effect positive rotation of the bobbin driving member when it has at tained a predetermined speed of rotation.

5. In a yarn doubling and twisting machine, the combination of a spindle for receiving a bobbin, a main rotating driving whirl, a bobbin driving member movable into and out of operative engagement'with the whirl and provided with a bobbin engaging device, slip friction means between the whirl and bobbin driving member and adapted to be subjected to the weight of the bobbin driver and bobbin to cause the friction driving'force to vary with said weight and eifect'a gradually increasing speed of the bobbin driving member when initially enga ed with the whirl to thereby prevent yarn reakage, and positive driving means between the whirl and bobbin driving member rendered automatically operative to effect positive rotation of the bobbin driving member when it has attained a predetermined speed of rotation.

6. In a machine of the general character described, the combination of a spindle, and bobbin rotating means, comprising a rotating driving whirl, a rotatable bobbin driver having means for connecting a bobbin thereto and movable into and out of operative engagement with the rotating driving whirl, slip friction means between the whirl and rotatable bobbin driver and adapted to be subjected to the weight of the bobbin driver and its bobbin to effect a gradually increasing speed of rotation to the bobbin driver when initially engaged with the whirl and thereby prevent yarn breakage, and interlocking members between the whirl and bobbin driver rendered operative automatically to effect positive rotation of the bobbin driver due to increased speed of the bobbin driver.

7. Bobbin driving means, comprising a rotating driving whirl, a bobbin driving plate movable into and out of operative engagement with the rotating whirl, slip friction means between the bobbin driving plate'and whirl and subjected to the weight of the bobbin driving plate and bobbin for starting the rotation of the bobbin driving plate at relatively slow speed when it and the Whirl are initially engaged and gradually increasing the rotative speed of the bobbin driving plate to thereby prevent yarn breakage, and positive means rendered efiective automatically to positively rotate the bobbin driving plate after it has attained a predetermined speed. a

In a machine for twisting fibrous matemad, the combination of a rotating driving whirl having a projection at its upper portion, a rotatable bobbin driver movable into and out of operative engagement with the upper portion of the whirl, slip friction means between the upper portion of the whirl and rotatable bobbin driver and arranged to be subjected to the weight of the bobbin driver to effect gradual increase in the rotative movement of the bobbin driver when it and the whirl are initially engaged, and means cairied by the bobbin driver for positively connecting it with the projection of the whirl to effect positive rotation of the bobbin driver when its speed of rotation has been sufiiciently increased by the slip friction means.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a spindle, a rotating driving whirl, a bobbin driver constituted as a plate movable into and out of operative engagement with the upper portion of the whirl and carrying radially movable locking members, a friction pad between the upper portion of the whirl and lower portion of thebobbin driver to receive the weight of the bobbin driver for starting the rotative movernent of the bobbin driver and bobbin at relatively slow speed when the bobbin driver and the whirl are initially engaged and acting to gradually increase the rotative movement of the bobbin driver and bobbin to revent thread breakage, and means on the w irl for positive engagement by the locking members to effect positive rotation of the bobbin driver till lid

tilt

and bobbin after the 'rotative speed thereof has caused the locking members to engage the means on the whirl.

10. In a yarn doubling and twisting machine, the combination of a spindle, a main rotating driving member and a bobbin driving member relatively movable into and out of operative engagement, slip friction means constituted as a substantially flat pad of friction material between the two members and adapted to be subjected to the weight of the bobbindriving member and bobbin to effect a gradually increasing speed of rotation of the bobbin driving member when said members are initially engaged to thereby prevent yarn breakage, and means rendered automaticall efiective by the increased rotative speed of t e bobbin drivin member for thereafter positively rotating t e bobbin driving mem ber.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

EDWIN W. STONE. 

